(Closed) Wedding was 11 days ago, florist sent an additional bill now

Hi Bees, my wedding was on 4 October and it was beautiful (I can’t wait to do recaps). Decor was one of the first things on my list of priorities. I wanted any fresh flowers within my colour scheme and I didn’t care what kind of flowers they were. I paid the florist a full amount more than a year ago and only paid for the additional items a week before the wedding as agreed. Now 11 days later I receive a bill that there’s an amount due since the flowers increased before my wedding. When I ask why was I not informed earlier she says she didn’t want to add to my stress and when I ask why didn’t she give me flowers that fell within the money already paid since I didn’t have any specific flower requests she couldn’t respond.

Am I wrong to refuse to pay this late addition to my flower bill? I really think this is strange.

Keke84: Did you sign a contract? What does this contract say – is there an exact price amount on there that you agreed to? I know that my florist gave me an “estimate” but also said the final payment was due two weeks before the wedding. There’s no way in hell I would have paid an extra bill if they sent me one.

Keke84: How significant of an extra bill are we tlking about? If it’s only about $200, I’d just bite the bullet and pay for it, assuming she doesn’t back down easily. Now, if it’s more like $1000, I’d fight tooth and nail.

weatherbug: there was no formal contract but terms and conditions which are regarded as a contract. It provides that the prices may increase since the quotation is issued a bit early the amount of which will be made communicated to me for a decision and that all must be paid a week before the wedding.

In this case nothing was communicated to me and everything was paid a week before as agreed. Even at that time nothing was said. And I gave her the freedom to choose the cheapest in season flowers within my colours. I specifically made it clear that I am not interested in a specific type of flower. I am really not paying anything I was not made aware of.

gingerkitten: it’s not about the amount it’s about doing things properly and transacting fairly. No matter the amount if I feel I am not treated fairly I will still contest it. I mean even if it was 2 cents. I’m very strict on how I use my hard earned money so there’s no way that I’ll just bite the bullet.

Keke84: If you had required SPECIFIC flowers– and those flowers increased- and you signed the terms and conditions, I would likely pay the bill- unless YOU requested that you be notificed ahead of time that the flower prices had increased.

I assume you had some sort of a budget, yes?

If that’s the case- the florist should have stuck within your budget- since you didn’t care what kind of flowers you had, as long as they were the correct colors.

MrsEME: this is exactly my point. I didn’t have any specific flower request. She had all the freedom to come up with my colours in flowers. I had a budget she was well aware of and when we included other hired items from her it was already over. So she knew very well. She even suggested leaving other things out so that I am not way over the budget.

Keke84: I would send her am email- or call her and ask why- if she was already concerned with me going over budget, she chose to use more expensive flowers. If she tried to tell that she couldn’t do it without raising the cost– I’d ike to know exactly what she used and what you got– I used to do wedding flowers and buy at one of the largest wholesalers in the Midwest- that ships to surrounding states.

Keke84: based on those conditions you DO NOT HAVE TO PAY. From what you have said it clearly states that any increase in price will be communicated to you for your to make a decision at least one week PRIOR to the wedding. It is not close to two weeks AFTER the wedding so she failed to meet those conditions and therefore can not charge you the extra.

dojx: the terms and conditions were not signed but were validated by me making a payment. by paying it meant that both parties have agreed to the terms and conditions and are therefore contracting parties. In my country it is legally correct to even have a verbal agreement without any paper and that verbal agreement will stand everywhere.